In a bold diplomatic move, President William Ruto has positioned Kenya as a potential mediator in the escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, the world’s two largest economies.
US President Donald Trump this month raised baseline tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. In retaliation, China imposed a 125% tariff on US goods.
Ruto, who began his four-day state visit to China on April 22, 2025, at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, has offered to mediate the US-China trade war.
Here are five key factors driving Ruto’s ambitious initiative:
1. A “Bridge” Between Superpowers
Ruto’s back-to-back state visits to both Washington, D.C., and Beijing offer more than ceremonial optics — they signal Nairobi’s growing relevance in global diplomacy.
“This visit as the first African state visit to China this year mirrors my 2024 visit to the US — the first African state visit in 15 years. Perhaps, symbolically, Kenya can serve as a bridge between East and West,” Ruto said in Beijing.
By cultivating balanced relationships with both capitals, Ruto is laying the groundwork for Kenya to act as a conduit for dialogue, leveraging trust built across ideological lines.
2. Africa’s Emerging Global Role
With Africa projected to account for 25% of the global workforce by 2050, Ruto emphasized the continent’s demographic advantage as a compelling reason for global cooperation.
“If the first half of this century belongs to China, the second half belongs to Africa,” he stated, advocating for increased global investment in African human capital.
By highlighting Africa’s strategic potential, Ruto framed Kenya — and the continent — as key to future economic stability, and therefore a natural stage for multilateral negotiations.
3. A Call for Reformed Multilateralism
Ruto’s vision extends beyond trade.
He called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, proposing a bold restructuring that would give each continental bloc — including Africa — three permanent seats.
“The current composition no longer reflects today’s geopolitical realities. Such a Council will better reflect the principle of sovereign equality among nations,” Ruto said.
By pushing for equity in global governance, Ruto is positioning himself as a voice for the Global South — one that could carry weight in brokering complex international disputes.
4. A Consistent Voice for Dialogue
Throughout his presidency, Ruto has consistently promoted diplomacy over confrontation.
On global conflicts from Ukraine to the Middle East, he has urged restraint and dialogue.
“We support a One China policy, a two-state solution in the Middle East, and dialogue — not escalation — in the Russia-Ukraine conflict,” Ruto said.
This consistent messaging enhances his credibility as a potential mediator, signaling a preference for inclusive, non-aligned diplomacy rooted in global cooperation.
5. Kenya as a Testbed for Global Investment
Ruto’s pitch also touches on economics.
He urged China and other global powers to redirect capital flows into Africa, citing Kenya’s readiness for high-impact, labor-intensive investment.
During his visit, Chinese private firms committed to creating 25,500 jobs in Kenya — a move Ruto said reflects confidence in the country’s economic direction.
As a trade war threatens global supply chains and growth, Kenya offers a stable, investment-ready alternative — and a neutral venue for de-escalation talks.
While the idea of Kenya mediating the world’s most consequential economic standoff may raise eyebrows in some quarters, Ruto’s pitch taps into broader questions about who gets to shape the global order — and what the role of Africa will be in the decades to come.
“Let this be our shared legacy that China and Africa, through trust, vision and partnership, helped lay the foundation for a 21st-century multilateralism that serves all humanity,” Ruto said.
